The Mississippi Department of Archives and History recently awarded a $50,000 Community Heritage Preservation Grant to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) to assist with the ongoing restoration and future planning needs of the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park Campus. The grant, allocated under the provisions of Senate Bill 3190, will be used to formulate an expanded campus vision and create a campus redevelopment program and implementation study. In addition, the grant will assist with the design of a campus master plan to redevelop the Katrina-damaged historic Southern Miss Gulf Park Campus, with consideration of potential functions, such as a mixed-use conference center and studio for the film arts.

“The Southern Miss historic Gulf Park Campus is integral to both the past and the future of the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Thomas C. Meredith. “The generous grant from the Department of Archives and History will assist us as we realize the Gulf Coast’s true potential within Mississippi’s higher education landscape.”

“This grant provides a real boost not only for Southern Miss, but for the entire Gulf Coast as we rebuild and grow together,” said University of Southern Mississippi President Dr. Martha Dunagin Saunders. “Our future is bright.”

Under the leadership of the Board of Trustees, IHL governs the public universities in Mississippi, including Alcorn State University; Delta State University; Jackson State University; Mississippi State University including the Mississippi State University Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine; Mississippi University for Women; Mississippi Valley State University; the University of Mississippi including the University of Mississippi Medical Center; and the University of Southern Mississippi.

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